Technical Textiles Technology and Market Trends Featured at Techtextil-Symposium North America 2008

December 8, 2007 - The latest technology and market trends in technical textiles will be presented by advanced technology and industry experts at Techtextil-Symposium North America (TTSNA), April 1-3, in Atlanta, GA. More than a dozen sessions and 65 presentations in a variety of formats will cover a broad range of topics from nonwovens, nanotechnology and composites to military and automotive as well as global market opportunities.

“Techtextil-Symposium North America is unparalled to any other industry event,” said Bill Smith, TTSNA symposium director. “No where else will professionals find such in-depth knowledge, expertise and valuable information that they can use to grow their own businesses in one place over three days. Each year, Techtextil-Symposium North America gains in its prestige as the industry’s leading education forum for technical textiles and nonwovens, attracting the highest quality presenters and senior-level professionals eager to learn.”

The Symposium will be held concurrently with the fifth edition of Techtextil North America (TTNA), North America’s premier trade fair for technical textiles and nonwovens.

Keynote Address and General Session
Glen Raven Inc.’s President and CEO, Allen E. Gant, Jr., will present the keynote address detailing the company’s success in the global economy by focusing on specialty fabrics that require high-tech equipment and technical expertise. In addition, the general session offers six other presentations relevant to the state of the textile industry.

Research and Development
Dr. Martin Jacobs, director of the National Textile Center (NTC), joins TTSNA for the fourth time with his session presenting the NTC’s latest developments in technical textiles-related research by the multi-university consortium.

Nonwovens
Nonwovens are a growing and increasingly important segment of technical textiles. Chaired by Dr. Behnam Pourdeyhimi of the Nonwovens Cooperative Research Center at the Nonwovens Institute of NCSU, this session will include presentations by the most prominent researchers regarding the latest in nonwoven technology. Topics include: nanoporous alumina membranes, carbonized and activated cotton nonwovens, new surface finishing processes for potential filtration applications, nanofibers with tunable electrical conductivity, filter media permeability and design programs, and high-performance micro and nano engineered structures.

Nanotechnology
In addition to a dedicated nanotechnology session that explores the realized potential of the technology, nanotechnology is featured in other TTSNA sessions such as those specific to composites and military applications. Prof. Karl Jacob of the Georgia Institute for Technology’s School of Polymer, Textile and Fiber Engineering will chair the nanotechnology session.

Composites
From airplanes to golf clubs, composites are no longer just an emerging area with many opportunities. The TTSNA presentations, chaired by Dr. Sabit Adanur of the Department of Polymer and Fiber Engineering at Auburn University, will explore the use of carbon fibers in high-end composites, as well as shape memory fibers, woven composites and nano fibers in composites.

Military
The military segment will be represented again in 2008 with programs covering developments for the military that will also have civilian implications, as well as focusing on areas such as camouflage, cold weather, tents and shelters, surface treatments and intelligent textiles. Eugene Wilusz of the Natick Soldier RD&E Center will chair the session.

Expanding Globally
Doing business in China will be the focus of a session led by Jorman Fields of TNC Global Consulting and one of the original founders of UNIFI. Jim Leonard, former deputy assistant secretary for the U.S. Department of Commerce, also will be among other speakers on this topic.

Technical Knits
Design and product development opportunities in knit fabrics will be explored in a session chaired by Skip Gehring, one of the most prominent advocates of industrial textiles in the knit area and president of Gehring Textiles. Gehring, who was recently honored as one of the ten most influential persons in the industrial textile area, will discuss opportunities technical knits offer, unique constructions, meeting performance standards and knit solutions.

Automotive
The automotive industry represents the largest, by dollar volume, market for technical textiles but is being impacted by growth in China. This session examines the marketplace and material trends, development and featured applications. Deborah K. Lickfield Ph.D. of Lickfield Consulting LLC, will lead the session along with industry experts including Theresa Marcantonio, market analyst for the North America supply chain and technology forecasts for CSM Worldwide, and representatives from Automotive Textile Solutions Inc. and Highland Industries.

Other sessions include: Government I – Protection; Composites; Extreme Fibers; Body Armor for Law Enforcement Protection; and Enhancing Value by Finishing.

For a full Techtextil-Symposium North America 2008 schedule and additional information on each of the sessions, visit www.techtextilNA.com.

Press Contact:
Stephanie Everett
Messe Frankfurt, Inc.
770-984-8016 ext 424
stephanie.everett@usa.messefrankfurt.com

Techtextil-Symposium North America Contact:
Bill Smith
Symposium Director
Industrial Textile Associates
Tel: 864-292-8121
Fax: 864-292-5333
E-mail: billsmith@intexa.com

Other upcoming Techtextil events worldwide:
- Techtextil Russia (27 - 29 May 2008), Moscow, Russia
- Cinte Techtextil China (20 - 22 October 2008), Shanghai, China
- Techtextil (16 - 18 June 2009), Frankfurt, Germany
- Avantex (16 - 18 June 2009), Frankfurt, Germany
- Techtextil India (October 2009), Mumbai, India